White Room

About the White Room

The White Room provides current information relating to new technologies for energy efficiency. Stay connected with the latest news, events, and scientific breakthroughs in this fast moving sector. Use our filters on the left or click here to send a suggestion for content to add.

The latest news from the United Nations’ climate talks in Doha, Qatar, where representatives from nearly 200 countries are working on a second round of pledges to reduce emissions ahead of the Kyoto Protocol’s expiration.

California had its first sale of greenhouse gas permits under the state’s new cap-and-trade system. Supporters of the cap-and-trade system believe it will reduce emissions and serve as a blueprint for other states.

California officials have completed a successful trial of its much-anticipated carbon trading scheme. The cap-and-trade platform will be started on Nov. 14, when more than 400 companies will be able to buy and sell tradeable carbon credits through quarterly auctions.

President Obama signed an executive order that sets a national goal of 40 GW of new combined heat and power (CHP) by the end of 2020. This will decrease national GHG emissions; enhance grid security; and could save manufacturers at least $100 billion in energy costs over the next decade.

The United States is ranked ninth by the ACEEE out of the 12 economies on energy efficiency. According to the ACEEE report, the US has made “limited or little progress toward greater efficiency at the national level." This ranking shows the need for increased energy efficiency in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded 22 states and territories $14 million to install energy-efficient upgrades to their buildings. The money saved by reducing building energy costs will be transferred directly to taxpayers.

Steven Chu, US Secretary of Energy, discusses the economic benefits of increasing the energy efficiency of household appliances. He wants to pass more aggressive minimum standards on appliances, which could make a significant dent in electricity consumption.

Many New York City tenants in city-owned buildings are not interested in saving energy, since they do not directly pay the utility bill and retrofits can be expensive. The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services decided to put these agencies on the hook for their energy consumption.